Time-recording apparatus for employees.



PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905.

T. H. ROBERTS. TIME RECORDING APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYEES.

APPLICATION FILED APB..18, 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

@MEEEE MAR/ PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Z, MQ/V/ y/ 44%) jive/2Z5 T. H. ROBERTS. TIME RECORDING APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYEES.

APPLICATION FILED APR.18, 1902.

@ttccQ' PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905.

T. H. ROBERTS.

TIME RECORDING APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYEES.

APPLIOATION FILED APR.18,1902.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3.

No. 783,896. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. T. H. ROBERTS. TIME RECORDING APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYERS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.18,19027 5 SHEETS-SEEET 4.

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No. 783,896. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. T. H. ROBERTS. TIME RECORDING APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYEES. APPLICATION FILED APR.18, 1902 5 SHEBTSSHEET 5.

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nmuhth Z M L O EX UE (dissby THOMAS HENRY ROBERTS,

Patented February 28, 1905.

OF BIRKENHEAI), ENGLAND.

TIME-RECORDING APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYEES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 783.896, dated February 28, 1905'.

Application filed April 18, 1902. Serial No. 103,610.

To (all whom it nmy concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS H ENRY Roenn'rs, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in Birkenhead, in the county of Chester, England. have invented certain new and useful improvements in apparatus for recording the time of employees entering and leaving their places of employment and for signaling time for commencing and ceasing work or for the like purposes, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention comprises certain im provements in that class of apparatus known as time-recordersg and an apparatus embodying my improvements is characterized, broadly. by the following features: The register is given in more convenient form than hitherto. The positioning of the records thereon to suit the divisions of the working day is effected automatically. Therecording mechanism is or may be rendered inoperative at certain times. and the apparatus is adapted to sound signal-bells at different parts of the works to indicate the times for commencing and ceasing work.

I have illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure I is a plan with the cover of the case and a portion of the mechanism removed for the sake of clearness. Fig. II is an elevation in section on the line A A of Fig. I, and Fig. 111 is a sectional elevation on the line B B of Fig. I. The remaining figures are fragmentary views showing details. Fig. IV is a section on the line C C of Fig. 1, showing the click mechanism of the right-hand paperroller, a portion of the device for rendering the machine inoperative when the dividingspaces between the time-sheets are at the printing-point. and the indicating device for showing which time-sheet is in position for printing. Fig. V is a section on the line D D of Fig. l and shows details, omitted for the sake of clearness in Fig. 11, of the device for locking the left-hand paper-roller while the record-ribbon is being changed. Fig. Vl is a plan showing the printingwheels and the clockwork-motors for operating these wheels and the trolley. Fig. Vll is a plan showing the flared guide through which the type pass to insure accuracy in the alinement and also the device for insuring that the type shall en ter the guide even if the machine should be operated while the type are in the act of changing. Figs. VIII, IX, and X are respectively end elevation, side elevation, and sectional elevation of the time-contact-band device for automatically controlling the electric circuits. Figs. XI and XII are end elevation and sectional elevation of a modified construction thereof. Fig. Xlll is a plan of the frontpart of the apparatus. showing a portion of the record-ribbon exposed through the glass cover. The time-sheets on this ribbon are arranged for a daily record; but Fig. XlV shows a portion of a time-sheet arranged for a weekly record.

Throughout the drawings the same parts areindicated by the same reference-numerals.

Before describing the apparatus in detail it will be well to explain that the records are made on a comparati vely long stri p or ribbon of paper. which lterm the record-ribbom that each employees records are given in a separate vertical column (transverse to the ribbon) denoted by his name or number; that each department of the works has its employees grouped together under appropriate printed matter. and that between each of such departmental groups of records a blank or dividing space is left. Each such group may be conveniently termed a time-sheet, as it has all the printed matter necessary to render it a complete record of its own department. and after the ribbon is removed from the apparatus it is cut along the dividing-spaces into the separate time-sheets. which can be dealt with individually and .filed under their respective headings. All these features are clearly shown in Figs. Xll and XIV, which show, respectively, a daily and a weekly time-sheet. From the construction and operation of the apparatus the record-ribbon may be made of any desired dimensions and space so be provided for any printed or written matter which may be considered desirable. In operation the printing-wheels are automatically brought to the appropriate height in the column by the clock-controlled mechanism. the employee I brings his own column to the printing-point by turning a handle, and he then prints his l record by operating the impression-lever.

The case 1,which incloses all the mechanism, is glazed above, the front portion of the top being hinged.

The record-ribbon is secured at its ends by l the spring-clips 2 to the rollers 3 and at, so that it can be reeled backward or forward from one to the other, passing between the rollers, over the printing-table 5, and under the 1 printing-wheels 6. The roller 4 is operated by the handle 7, and the roller 3 is urged in a contra-clockwise direction by the cord 8 and i a weight (not shown) with suflicient force to take up the ribbon as it is reeled o'lf the roller l 4. lnstead of the cord and weight an internal 1 spring might be fitted inside the roller 3. In order to facilitate the changing of the ribbon, the device 9, Figs. 1, 111., and V, is provided to swing over and lock the squared end of the i spindle of the roller 3. To provide against l the contingency of the roller being inadvertently left locked, 1 iit'the sliding bar 10, abutting below against the stem 11 and above against the cover, so that the act of closing the latter necessarily frees the rollers. The stopwork 12 prevents overwinding, and the notched wheel 13 and spring-click 1 L assist the employee in the exact location of his column for printing.

1n order to indicate clearly which time-sheet is under the printing-point, 1 provide the cylindrical or polygonal indicator 15, which is appropriately lettered with the different departments. This is operated by the star-wheel 16, having as many points as there are departments, which is operated at each revolution of the finger 17, driven from the roller at by the bevel-gearing 18. The length of each time-sheet is equal to the girth of the roller 4:, so that the indicator is changed pm Sta/tum once in each revolution of the roller and justas the dividing-space is passing the printingpoint. It is retained by the spring-click 19.

It will now be understood that the employee turns the handle 7 until the indicator 15 shows that his time-sheet is in position. He then proceeds to bring his column opposite the pointer 20, this being facilitated by the magnifying-lens 21 and the linal accuracy being insured by the spring-click let.

22 is the trolley. which carries the printingwheels and the spring-motors for operating the wheels and the trolley. [t is shown in Figs. 11 and V1, but is removed from Fig. 1 for greater clearness. 1t runs freely on the guide-bars 23 in a direction transverse to the record-ribbon, and its position determines the particular height in the column at which the printing is effected in accordance with the divisions of the working day or week, as the case may be.

The printing-wheels 6 are mounted independently of each other on a pin on the end i of the swinging arm 2 1, pivoted at 25, which i is urged upwardly by a spring (not shown) coiled round the pivot-pin. They are three in number, one for the units of minutes, one for the tens of minutes, and one for the hours. The type are formed on the ends of radial arms adapted to enter the flared guide-hole 27, carried by the extension 28 of the trolley 22. This construction of the printing-wheels, in conjunction with the flared guide, insures the permanent accuracy of the alinement even after the mechanism has suffered considerably from ordinary wear. The spring of the motor gives motion to two independent trains,

the main wheel 81 being attached to the springcase and driven by one end of the spring and the other main wheel, 30, being driven by the other end of the spring. The motion is conveyed in the ordinary way to the spindles 32 1 and 33, which in turn operate the fly-governors 34c and 35. Dealing in the lirst instance with the printing-wheel motor. the spindle 32 carries the minute-changing wheel 36, which has ten pins on one side and one on the other. Each time the electromagnet 37 is energized its armature-lever 38 draws the hook-pawl 39 clear of the pin 4C0 on the wheel 41 and allows the latter to make one turn and the wheel 36 to make one-tenth of a turn. The hour-changing wheel 12, which carries one pin, is mounted loosely on the spindle 32, and it is turned one-sixth of a revolution for each revolution of the latter. This is effected by the toothed arc 13, lixed to the spindle 32, gearing intermittently with the toothed wheel 4.4, which in turn gears with the hour-wheel. The wheel 44: is arranged to make exactly one revolution at each engagement, and the springclick L5, bearing on a flat on the disk 46, in-

sures that the teeth will always rei'mgage properly. The mechanism for conveying the motion to the three printing-wheels is exactly similar in the three cases. 17 represents spring-pawls mounted on the ends oi the pulling-rods 48, which in turn are connected to the bell-crank levers 49, which are under the influence of the tension-springs 26, attached to a stem on the arm 2 1. As the pins on the minute-changing wheel 36 and the pin on the hour-changing wheel 42 trip past the shorter arms of these bell-cranks the printing-wheels are drawn round one arm at a time, so as to change the type. 1t will be clear that if the magnet 37 be energized once every minute the units-of-minutes type will be changed every minute, the tens-of-minutes type every ten minutes, and the hour type every hour.

The operation of printing is effected by drawing down thearm 2&, (by means to besubsequently described.) and to meet the contingency of this occurring while the type are changing 1 provide the three levers 50. pivoted at 51 on the extension 28 and urged downwardly by the springs 52. These levers are normally held in the position shown by the links 53, having the pin 51 engaging in the slot 55; but when the arm 5a is lowered they spring forward till arrested by the inking-pad box 56 and, if need be, abut against the type arms,so as to insure that the latter are in proper position for enteringthe guide 27. Normally these levers do not affect the printing-wheels;

but they are efl'ectivein event of the machine being operated when the type are in the act of changing or just about to change. The arrangemen ts for inking the type are as follows: The inking-pad box 56 is mounted on a pin 57, sliding in the slots 58 on the extension 28. It has a stem 59 pivotally connected to the lever 60, which in turn is pivotally connected at 61 to the extension 28.

Just prior to the descent of the arm 24 the lever is depressed by means to be subsequently described, the pin 57 slides forward in the slots 58, and as the latter are turned up at their ends the pad-box rises sharply and the pad or pads therein impinge against the type. The action is so timed that the pad-box has time to retreat before the printing-wheels descend. The inking-pad box is preferably divided into two compartments and the two pads therein charged with different-colored inks for the minute and hour types, respectively.

Dealing now with the trolley-movingmotor, the spindle 33 carries the notched disk 62, carrying the crank-pin 63, linked by the connecting-rod 64 to the fixed pin 65. The armature-lever 66 of the electromagnet 67 operates the pawl 68 and the lever 69 each time the magnet is energized, so as to release the train, which runs until the lever 69, dropping into one of the notches, once more allows the pawl 68 to reengage. It is obvious that each such step will advance the trolley along its guide-bars. The notches occupy one-half of the circumference of the disk, and their number and position are arranged to suit the number and position of the printing-lines, which of course are transverse to the columns of the time-sheets. The notches shown are appro priate for adaily time-sheet. To change the machine for a weekly time-sheet or for any special purpose, it is only necessary to substitute an appropriately-notched disk for the disk 62. When the trolley has been so advanced step by step from the top to the bottom of the tirnesheet or the reverse, as the case may be, the crank at its next step moves one-half a. revolution and draws the trolley back ready to commence the next days or weeks record, as the case may be.

The spring-controlled arm 70, the roller 71 of which bears elastically under the glass cover, darries a pointer 72, which indicates againstlines ruled on the cover the transverse line on the time-sheet at which the printing will be effected.

addition to positioning the time-sheet has to effect the inklng and printing, the mechanism for effecting this is as follows: The pivoted impression-lever 73, which has an external handle, gives motion by the link 7s and lever 75 to the rock-shaft 76, which operates both the inking and printing devices. Dealing with the inking mechanism first, 77 is a cam or wiper lixed to the rock-shaft 76 and adapted to operate and trip past the lever 78. This latter is pivotally attached to the lever 79, so that it operates the latter when moved downwardly from the position shown in Fig. II, but is inoperative when moved up. The lever 79 is linked by the horizontal bar 80 to a second lever 81, parallel and equal -to the lever 79, so that when the impression-lever 73 is depressed the bar 80 swings downwardly, always remaining horizontal. On the return of the ll111i)l6SSlOI1-l6VOI 73 the wiper 77 trips past the lever 78, which is then inoperative. The downward motion of the bar 80 is conveyed to the inking-lever 60 by the forked connecting-rod 82, which abuts below the bar 80. It will be seen that by reason of the continuous horizontality of the bar 80 the motion imparted to the inking mechanism is irrespective of the position of the trolley. The details for conveying the motion to the printing device are exactly similar to those described in connection with the inking device, and the corresponding parts are correspondingly numbered, with the addition of a dash. It is to be noted, however, that the wiper 77 is set angularly behind the wiper 77, so that the movement of the inking device effected by the latter is completed before the printing-arm 24 is depressed.

83 is a switch-arm fixed to the rock-shaft 76 and moving between the contacts 84 of the circuit of an alarm-bell, which is not shown. The arm isalways between the contacts, but only closes the circuit when lifted by the depression of the impression-lever, the lower parts of the contacts being separated. The function of the alarm is twofold it indicates if an employee has made his record and it defeats any attempt to stop the progress of the printing wheels by holding them depressed into the flared guide-hole 27.

In order to render the machine inoperative, yet without locking or arresting in any way such movements as are performed by the employees during such intervals of the day or night as may be appointed by the employer and also while the dividing-spaces between the time-sheets are passing under the printing-point, I arrange a cranked rock-shaft 85, adapted when partially rotated to bear under and lift the levers 78 and 78 up clear of the sweep of the wipers 77 and 77. Two means of operating this shaft 85 are shown. One is the clock-motor 86, which is substanj tially similar to the trolley-moving motor It being understood that the employee in i already described. Its crank-pin 87 moves in steps of half a revolution, and it has the two connecting-rods 88 and 89. The rod 88 IIO abuts against the upturned lever on the rock-shaft 8e, and the rod 89 drives the open and closed indicator 91 by the crank-pin 92. In the position shown of the crank-pin 87 the rock-shaft 85 is clear of the levers 78 and 78, the machine is operative, and the indicator reads Open. In the opposite position of the pin 87 the rock-shaft 85 has lifted the levers 78 and T8, the ma- 1 chine is inoperative, and the indicator reads Closed. The other means of operating this shaft 85 consists of the edge cam 93 on the end of the roller 4, the lever 94 engaging therewith the connecting-rod 95 and the upturned lever 96 on the shaft This gear is so arranged as to render the apparatus inoperative when a dividing-space between the time-sheets is under the printing-point.

It being understood that the functions of changing the time-types, changing the position of the trolley, and rendering the machine operative 0r inoperative are performed automatically by means of the mechanical energy given off by motors operated by electromagnets, it is necessary to control the circuits so that the various armatures are attracted at the times appointed. This is effected with the aid of a clock and devices described hereinafter.

The clock may be placed in any convenient position, the leads being carried therefrom to one or any number of machines, or where only one machine is used the clock may, if desired, be placed above the machine and the rear portion of the case elevated to contain it.

The arrangements for controlling the circuits are as follows: The clock is provided with a seconds-spindle revolving once a minute, every revolution of which closes the circuit to the motor operating the time-types. The circuits to the motors for operating the trolley and for rendering the machine operative or inoperative or to a signal bell or bells or mechanism operating them are closed by the. following device, illustrated in Figs. V] II, IX, and X: A minute-spindle ,97, which may be the cloclespindle or an independent spindle, but in any case preferably operated by the same clock operating the secondsspindle, moves two revolving conductors 98 and 99, which are in electrical connection, and they rotate in similar manner to the hands of a clock. Concentric with the conductors I fix a pair of insulated circular metallic bands 100 and 101, which 1 term the time contactbands, provided with terminals 102, to which the leads are attached. light contact-springs 10;) at their ends, which sweep within and clear of the corresponding bands, and where contact is to be made 1 fix projecting contact-pieces 10 k on the inner sides of the bands, one for each conductor. Both conductors must comeinto contactsimultaneously to close the circuit, which is then completed through the one The conductors have time-bandsay 1 i l i 1 veasee 98, the hour-c(')nductor 9i), and thehour timeband lol. This being so, it will be seen that a circuit may be closed at any time or times during the day or night by fixing the contactpieces on the required divisions of time, which are marked on the bands. The contact-pieces are so formed that they clip onto the bands frictionally or by pinching-screws in order that they may be readily placed in position or removed if it is desired to add, change, or delete any particular time of closing a circuit. By this construction changes can be made with the greatest facility even by an unskilled person, as no structural alteration is required. The hour-conductor is preferably arranged to rotate once in twenty-four hours, so that circuits required during the p. in. hours are not repeated during the a. m. hours unless required; but when it is desired that a distinct repetition of the p. in. circuits be made during the night the hour-conductor is arranged to rotate once in twelve hours. As the comparatively rapid motion of the minute-conduetor is used for controlling purposes, the COODOIiLtiOD of both conductors being necessary to complete a circuit, a much more accurate adjustment is possible than with a single conductor revolving once in twelve or twentyfour hours. The position of the front edge of the minute contact-piece determines the exact minute or fraction of a minute at which the circuit is closed and the length of its surface determines the duration of the circuit.

Figs. Xi and XII show a modilication in which keys are used in place of the loose contact-pieces lei. These are hinged on the timecontact bands, sothat any one or more may be turned up so as to come within the sweep of the contact-springs 103, and the arrangement is convenient where changes have to be made frequently.

As the hour-contacts when of key form would be incol'iveniently long if made to command a whole hour, i prefer to provide one, as shown, for each quarter-hour.

Where a number of machines are used, the leads may be arranged to distribute the electrical energy through a switchboard in order that all the machines may be synchronized and supplied with electrical energy from the one source and in order that the same clock and the minute-band 100, the minLite-conductor i the same sets of time-contact bands may conllO trol and synchronize the closing of the circuits to all machines. In large factories the electric time-contact device described is also used to automatically operate one or more electric bells or signals placed in convenient positions for the purpose of indicating the times for commencing or ceasing work.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a time-recorder the COlUbIDtUJlOH with a suitable frame or case, of a device for supporting a record-sheet, means for operating said device manually to bring any desired portion of the sheet into printing position, means for indicating the portion of the sheet in printing position, a set of printing-wheels capable of movement transversely to the line of travel of the ribbon, time-controlled mechanism for turning the printing-wheels, means for automatically moving the printing-wheels transversely of the ribbon at prearranged times and means 't'oretfecting the rinting, substantially as described.

2. In a time-recorder, in combination: a device for supporting a record-ribbon and moving it longitudinally; atrolley adapted to move transversely to the ribbon; a disk-crank operated by a clock-controlled motor on the trolley; a connecting-rod therefrom to a fixed pin; a series of notches extending over half the circumference of the disk to regulate the stepby-step movement of the latter; a set of printing-wheels carried by the trolley; and mechanism for inking and depressing the latter; substantially as described.

3. In a time-recorder, in combination: a device for supporting a record-ribbon and moving it longitudinally; a trolley and means for automatically moving it transversely to the ribbon; a set of type-wheels carried by the trolley; an impression-lever; a bar operated thereby and always remaining parallel to the line of motion of the trolley; and means for conveying the downward movement of the said bar to the printing-wheels; substantially as described.

4. In a time-recorder, in combination; a device for supporting a record-ribbon and moving it longitudinally; a trolley and means for automatically moving it-transversely to the ribbon; a set of type-wheels and an inking device carried by the trolley; an impression-lever; a pair of bars operated in succession by the impression-lever and always remaining parallel to the line of motion of the trolley; and means for conveying the down ward movementsof the bars to the inking device and to the printingwheels respectively; substantially as described.

5. In a time-recorder, in combination: a device for supporting a record-ribbon and moving it longitudinally; a set of printingwheels capable of motion transversely to the ribbon; spring-motors for effecting the automatic movements thereof; electromagnets controlling the said motors; a battery; clock mechanisms for closing and opening the circuits thereof at prearranged times; and means for effecting the printing; substantially as described.

6. In a time-recorder, in combination; a spring-motor; an electromagnet controlling the same; a battery; a clock mechanism moving minute and hour conductors; a minute time-band; an hour time-band; and adjustable contact-pieces on each time-band, through which and the minute and hour conductors the electron1agnet-circuit closed at prearranged times; substantially as described.

7. In combination: a battery; electromagnetic mechanism operated thereby; an honrconductor and a munite-conductor operated by a clock; an insulated conducting hour-band; an insulated conducting minute-band; sliding contact-pieces adjustable to any positions on the bands; and an electric circuit connecting in series the battery, the hour-band, the hourconductor, the minute-conductor, the minuteband and the electromagneticmechanism; substantially as described.

8. .In combination with the time contactbands, the contact-pieces adapted to be slid to any position thereon and held by Friction; substantially as described.

9. In a time-recorder, in combination: a printing-wheel with radiating type-arms adapted to enter a guide; a l'lared guide to receive and positively locate said arms when printing; and means for bringing said arms into the guide and effecting the printing; substantially as described.

10. In a time-recorder, in combination: a swinging arm; a set of printing-wheels with radiating type-arms mounted side by side thereon, a flared guide to receive and posi tively locate the three adjacent type-arms when printing; and means for bringing said arms into the guide and effecting the printing; substantially as described.

11. In combination; aset of printingwheels; a motor; a minute-wheel operated intermittently thereby, with ten pins on one side and one pin on the other; a pinned hourwheel operated by the motor; and trip-levers adapted to be operated by said pinned wheels and having means for shifting the printinge wheels; substantially as described.

12. In combination: a swinging arm; a printing-wheel with radiating type-arms mounted on the arm; a flared guide to receive and guide the type-arms when printing; a lever operated by the motion of the swinging arm for engaging with the typearms to insure their entry into the guide; and means for operating the arm to eli'ect the printing; substantially as described.

13. In combination: a set of printingwheels; an inking-pad box in two compartments; a pair of pads therein; a transverse pin carrying the box; a pair of cheeks having I slots with upturned ends guiding the pin; a stem on the box; a lever articulated thereto and means for depressing the latter; substantially as described.

let. In a time-recorder in combination: an impression-lever; a rock-shaft operated thereby; a wiper thereon; a trip-lever operated thereby in one direction; a lever operated by said trip-lever; a second lever similar and parallel to the latter; a bar connecting the last two levers; a sliding trolley; and means for conveying the movement of the bar to mechanism mounted on the trolley; substantially as described.

15. In a time-recorder, in combination: an impression-lever; a rock-shaft operated thereby; a pair of wipers lixcd thereon, one angularly behind the other; a pair of trip-levers operated respectively thereby in succession; and means for conveying the motions of the trip-levers to inking and printing devices respectively in succession; substantially as described.

16. In atime-recorder, in combination; the impression-lever, the rock-shaft, the wipers and the trip-levers, and a cranked shaft adapted to lift the latter and render them inoperative; substantially as described.

17. In a time-recorder, in combination: a pair of rollers adapted to support record-ribbon; the impression-lever, the rock-shaft, the wipers, the trip-levers, the cranked shaft for rendering the latter inoperative, a cam on the end of one of the rollers and a lever convey- 1 ing motion derived therefrom to the cranked shaft; substantially as described.

18. In a'time-reeorder, in combination: the impression-lever, the rock-shaft, the wipers, the trip-levers, the cranked shaft for rendering the latter inoperative, a clock-controlled motor, a notched crank-disk operated thereby, a crank-pin thereon, and a connectingrod therefrom operating the cranked shaft at prearranged times; substantially as described.

19. In a time-recorder, in combination: a pair of rollers adapted to carry a time-sheet, a printing mechanisi'n, a revolving linger operated by one of the rollers, a star-wheel operated thereby, and an indicator marked in accordance with the time-sheets and operated by the said star-wheel; substantially as described.

20. ,In a time-recorder, in combination: an outer case with a movable cover; a pair of rollers one of which is under the influence of a force urging it continuously in one direction; a printing mechanism; a device for holding one of the rollers from rotating when changing the ribbon; and a device for automatically releasing the said roller on closing the cover; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS HENRY ROBERTS.

Witnesses:

.l osnrir 1G. Hms'r, H ENRY \VrLLiAns. 

